To mark the Entente Cordiale Anniversary, French and British troops participated in a historic exchange of roles during the Changing of the Guards ceremonies outside each other’s Head of State’s palaces. This unprecedented gesture commemorated 120 years since the signing of the Entente Cordiale.
The Entente Cordiale was a series of agreements between France and the United Kingdom. While not a formal alliance, it laid the groundwork for a closer Anglo-French relationship that has been symbolically celebrated through such events.
French and British troops recently exchanged roles in the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside each other’s Head of State’s palaces, in honor of the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale.
The Household Troops have been responsible for guarding the Sovereign and the Royal Palaces since 1660. When Queen Victoria took residence at Buckingham Palace in 1837, the Queen’s Guard continued to be based at St James’s Palace, with a detachment assigned to guard Buckingham Palace—a tradition that remains in place today.
The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is a ceremonial event that signifies the handover of duties from the Old Guard, who have been on duty, to the New Guard taking over the post.
In London, the ceremony was watched by The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, while in Paris, President Macron observed the Parade.
On behalf of The King, The Duke and Duchess inspected 32 members of the 1st and 2nd Infantry regiments of the Garde Republicaine and 40 guardsmen from F Company Scots Guards, lined up opposite their French counterparts.
The event marks the first time a country from outside the Commonwealth has taken part in the Changing of the Guard on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.
Last Autumn, The King and Queen undertook a State Visit to France – their first overseas visit following Their Majesties’ Coronation in May.
Their Majesties were officially welcomed to Paris at the iconic Arc de Triomphe, where a flypast from the Red Arrows and their French Air Force counterparts symbolised the long-standing alliance between the two nations.
During his speech at the State Banquet held at the Palace of Versailles, The King emphasized the continued significance of the Entente Cordiale:
The bonds between our peoples are numerous and form the very lifeblood of our Entente Cordiale, originally inspired by my great-great-grandfather, King Edward VII. As we approach the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale in 2024, it is our shared responsibility to renew and strengthen our friendship, ensuring it is well-prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
